boats and jet skis are money holes, the former much more than the latter. If anything can go wrong, it will. That being said, I loved growing up a water baby who learned to waterski behind a row boat with a 15 hp motor attached. If you're not looking to waterski or fish or entertain get a jetski (seadoo is the best). If you want to do those things though, a 17-20' searay multi-purpose type boat is what you'll want (at least 150 hp)